Chapter 13
"Severus we can't. We did this just two and half months ago!" Hermione stated.
Severus grinned and took the book back from her in one hand and pulled her flush against him as well as he could with her pregnant belly which was not concealed at the time with his other hand. "Of course we can, my love. We don't have this copy and I'm allowed to play indulgent husband," he said softly into her ear.
A throat cleared behind them, "Madam, are you all right? Is this gentleman bothering you?" a store clerk asked.
Severus and Hermione turned to view the man. Hermione smiled, "No, my husband is just spoiling me today." She was thrilled she could announce her martial status.
The clerk flushed, "Sorry sir, madam. I wasn't aware. Is there anything I can do for you today?"
Severus stopped scowling at the interruption when Hermione spoke. Severus didn't release Hermione from his arm but let her stand more on her own, "Yes. Do you take special orders?"
"Yes sir we do."
"Very well. We'll be up in a few minutes after we look around a bit more. I'm sure my wife will have a few more she would like to special order." Severus commanded.
The clerk took this as his dismissal.
Hermione watched on with amusement. Others were always a bit put off when Severus took on his forceful tone. "Special orders Severus? What was that about?"
"If you have other books you want in mind we can ask them to search and hold them until we pay."
Hermione shook her head thinking that she was going to end up spoiled. "Severus, I swear if you do this with our children they'll be spoiled rotten!"
"I will spoil them a little. Giving a child whatever they wish for is not good. I'm quite aware of this," Severus thought of Malfoy for a second. "But spoiling my wife with whatever she desires will only keep me in her good graces."
"Ummhmmm... That is until I go into labor and threaten you with your life if you ever touch me again, correct?" Hermione teased. They had been talking with Pomfrey about what labor would be like and were told some of the horror stories.
Severus gulped. That was one particular thing he was not looking forward to. Deciding to change the subject, "What other books did you want my love?"
Hermione grinned at her husband's tactic but went along with it and picked out a few more books, trying to keep the price down though. "Severus, want to have lunch with my parents? They make it tradition to stay home on Sunday afternoons for lunch together."
"Love, wouldn't they rather be alone then?" Severus grinned.
Hermione blushed a bit. "Let me call them and see if they wouldn't mind." She said to herself to be on the safe side.
Severus agreed and they went to pay for the books while Hermione asked to use the phone. The clerk let her, considering they were spending so much on books. Hermione dialed the number and waited while it rung.
"Hello?" Diane Granger answered.
"Hi, Mum," Hermione said.
"Hermione, how are you dear?"
"Good. I was wondering if Severus and I could come over for lunch?"
"Can you do it that easily? Won't the school notice?" Diane asked.
"We're spending the day in London," Hermione explained.
"Splendid! Then you must come to lunch. How soon can you be here?"
"Immediately. Severus is just paying for some books and placing a few special orders for us."
"Great. Lunch will be ready when you get here, and then you can tell me why you are in London."
"All right. See you in a little bit."
"Until then my dear."
Hermione replaced the phone headset on the cradle and turned to Severus who finished paying for the books.
"Ready love?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, what did your parents say?"
"To come to lunch. Mum is curious why we are in London," Hermione grinned.
"Then we shall go." Severus guided Hermione out of the bookstore and they looked for a private spot so they could apparate. Severus apparated to the foyer of the house, not wanting to be spotted by neighbors during the middle of the day. Last time they had come to visit, they had the shadows to hide within.
"Mum, dad we're here," Hermione called out.
"In the kitchen dear," Diane called.
Severus and Hermione walked to the kitchen to find Diane and Chris Granger setting lunch on the table. Severus made his wife sit, "Is there anything I can do Diane?" he offered.
"No. Please sit and relax. Tell me why you were in London." Diane said placing the last bit of food on the table and taking a seat herself next to her husband.
"I was taking advantage of playing indulgent husband," Severus grinned. He would have never pictured himself a year ago being able to say that with a light and happy heart, but having Hermione in his life allowed him the time to relax and be free without reservation. It also helped that her parents were accepting of him, which he was surprised with but pleased with.
Chris nodded, "Good idea before the baby comes. You will need all the bonus points you'll get before labor."
Severus gulped again.
"Dad!" Hermione admonished.
Chris just laughed at his daughter and son in law. Everyone started to fill their plates with food and ate.
"How's school?"
"Great as usual, though getting up and down those stairs is getting harder," Hermione rubbed her stomach.
"I'm amazed you can do it at all, dear, but you seem to be small still," Diane said.
"Yea I am. Madam Pomfrey is surprised I'm not bigger even though I'm already starting to feel like a small whale," Hermione frowned. "With the concealment charms, it's harder to tell where I end while walking through the halls."
"It'll be over soon enough love, just a few more weeks before you finish," Severus soothed her while rubbing her back. Hermione leaned into Severus more letting him support her upper body weight.
"What prompted a visit to London today?" Chris asked.
"Harry and Ron found out last night," Hermione said sadly.
Diane took a sip of her ice tea, "How did they take it?" She knew her daughter was worried about their reactions and hoped they knew this was what Hermione wanted.
"They didn't attack Severus so I guess all right. Harry claimed Severus had seduced me and wants him in Azkaban," Hermione quietly said.
Chris and Diane blanched; they knew Azkaban was not a friendly prison for wizards. "How did it end?"
"It's not over actually. Albus guided the guys out and we haven't had a chance to talk alone, another reason for today's adventure. I didn't want to face them yet and wanted a chance to play normal couple." Hermione commented.
Chris and Diane nodded in understanding. The two couples continued to chat over lunch and later moved to the sitting room and go over the books they purchased. Hermione had gotten her appreciation of books from her parents. Hermione and Severus spent the rest of the afternoon with the Grangers. They also ate dinner there. Hermione had enough of walking around and Severus knew it. He encouraged his wife to spent the rest of the day with her parents.
......
Severus and Hermione were back at Hogwarts and Hermione was getting ready to go back to Gryffindor, knowing she needed to talk with Harry and Ron.
"Hermione, now that your friends know about us, you can stay here every night. If you don't answer your door they'll just think you're here," Severus stated.
Hermione smiled, "I was hoping you wouldn't mind me doing that."
"Of course not my love. In fact I have another suggestion that I know I will despise but it may work in the long run with Potter and Weasley," Severus admitted.
"What is it?"
"Come down here to study for N.E.W.T.s. You and I already study, but since you have to study with them also you may as well bring them along. But bring Ginny to keep negotiations open. I can give her material to study for her classes if she wishes."
Hermione smiled and walked over to Severus and pulled his head down to her level while standing on her toes. She captured his lips in a delicious kiss. After she broke apart, she floo'd to her own quarters. She left her room to go to the common room and found her three friends studying.
"Hi guys," Hermione said sitting down.
Harry, Ron, and Ginny looked at Hermione. The three smiled at their friend and each greeted her.
"Harry, Ron are you guys all right with everything?" Hermione asked tentatively.
Harry and Ron nodded affirmative.
Hermione let out a sigh of relief and decided to venture further with Severus' offer. "Did you guys want to study intensively?" First she had to know if they were even in the mood for the type of studying Severus would be giving.
"Yes!" Both answered. They knew with the N.E.W.T.s coming up they needed all the help they could get.
"Ginny, you want help with your finals?" Hermione asked.
"Sure," Ginny knew not to turn down intensive study with Hermione. It could only help her in the long run.
"Come with me then," Hermione got up, "bring all your books."
The three friends got all their books and followed Hermione into her room where she also grabbed her books. "Ginny, you first." Hermione said as she walked over to the fireplace and offered her a jar of Floo powder. "Snape's room."
Ginny stepped into the Floo ready fireplace, threw the powder into the fire while calling out her destination and she disappeared.
"Harry," Hermione offered the Floo powder.
Harry gulped and did the same as Ginny, and then Ron followed. Hermione brought up the rear. When Hermione stepped out of the fireplace she noticed Harry and Ron each standing tense with Ginny a bit more relaxed facing Severus. He was watching them warily. "Harry, Ron, Severus has offered to tutor us for our N.E.W.T.s. Ginny, he has some things to help you also." Hermione walked over to Severus.
"I take it, Misters Potter and Weasley that you have accepted Hermione's decision since you are here?" Severus asked without a sneer.
They both nodded.
"Ms. Weasley, what area do you need to study in the most?" Severus asked trying to sound semi-polite and using her formal name in front of the boys, even though he was on 'friendly' terms with her when she was around Hermione alone.
"Charms and Potions," Ginny answered confidently.
Severus went to his desk and picked up some parchment rolls and a book. "This should keep you busy for an hour," he held out the things for her to take.
Ginny approached him and took the offered materials.
"Sit," he ordered and she obeyed without realizing it.
"Mr. Potter, which area do you need to study in the most?"
"Potions."
"And you Mr. Weasley?"
"Potions."
"Very well. Hermione I assume you can study by yourself while I tutor them?" Severus asked tenderly to her.
"Yes, and thank you Severus," she smiled sweetly.
Severus nodded and guided her to sit down in an overstuffed chair next to Ginny's chair. Severus gathered more materials off his desk and sat in another chair closer to the couch while he indicated the boys to sit on it. This gave them access to the coffee table. The boys stiffly sat, still a bit unsure how this was going to proceed. Severus handed them each a parchment and told them to read it.
The study session went underway. Harry and Ron each read the materials Severus gave them and then if they had questions they would ask and he would answer them without being sarcastic or sneering. They went over material along with new material to make sure they understood everything. Ginny would sometimes come over to Severus and ask a question on charms or potions and Severus would answer in the same semi-polite tone. Hermione didn't really need to ask anything, but would look up and smile. She was noticing Harry and Ron studying hard while Severus was trying to be less of a bastard. It was soon curfew and with a few breaks for a few minutes Severus said it was time for the study session to end. They had been studying for three hours. The boys were glad it was done but they learned quite a lot and were surprised. Severus left the students alone and went to the small library, allowing Hermione say goodnight.
"Hermione, are you staying here tonight?" Ron ventured.
"Yes. Did you guys get a lot done?" Hermione asked sweetly.
"Yes we did." Harry confirmed.
"Good. Do you want to keep doing this?"
Harry and Ron looked at each other. They actually learned more from Severus than they did from Hermione. Severus had the authority to make them pay more attention and they wanted to prove themselves in front of him more than their friend. "Yes we do," Harry said. Harry's opinion of Severus has changed drastically. Ron could also tell that Severus did enjoy teaching to an extent if the students put forth the effort.
"Ginny, you get anything out of it?" Hermione asked looking towards her friend.
"Yea I did. I've been wanting to get charms and potions studying out of the way and half of it is now," Ginny smiled. "Can you tell him thank you for us?"
"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow morning and we can walk down at breakfast," Hermione smiled.
The three nodded and said the goodbyes.
"'Granger's room,' to get back guys." Hermione stated.
Within a few seconds all three left and Hermione walked into the bedchamber to see Severus bare chested, leaning back against the headboard with a grin. This made Hermione smile and she started to strip herself giving Severus a small show while she talked normally. "Thank you Severus. They would like to study here again if you don't mind?"
Severus just nodded his consent.
Hermione could see the bed sheets and duvet start to tent and she smirked. After finishing undressing, she walked over to him and pulled the covers off, leaving him naked. "Hmm... it seems something has turned you on?" she teased. "Whatever could it be?" And she straddled his lap.
Severus didn't talk but just leaned forward and placed his arms around her and kissed her thoroughly.
The evening eventually gave way to the couple joining and rhythmically moving as one.
......
The next several weeks passed quickly with all the students studying. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny ended up four nights out of a week studying in Severus' quarters. While Harry, Ron and Hermione got more personalized tutoring, Harry and Ron eventually came to a point where Hermione could join them once in a while. Ginny was able to interrupt when needed and ask questions. Severus also offered next year he would help Ginny study for N.E.W.T.s, after classes. Ginny eagerly accepted even when Severus told her it would not only be for the last two weeks but several months in advance and up until the tests because he wouldn't have the time like he did now to offer the same amount of studying. Ginny gladly accepted. She would take all the help she could get and she would study hard on her own and write down questions she would have and wait for the study sessions if needed.
Severus was being a better teacher in class over the last few weeks noticing if he spent more time on some material the students understood it better while he was still strict. He formally believed if he didn't want students to blow themselves and the school up he needed to be strict and observant in class.
Hermione was having a harder time moving from class to class, but with the help of the guys she was able to better adjust. She was happy that they and Severus were getting along better hoped that in time they might even be on 'friendly' terms. Although she knew they would never be the 'true friends' she was with Harry and Ron. Hermione spent each night with Severus and floo'd back each morning to head down to breakfast with her friends.
The N.E.W.T.s eventually came and went with each student doing their best. Harry, Ron and Hermione were confident of their tests because of what and how they studied. While the students finished their exams, the teachers disappeared for hours at a time leaving the students to have a week off while all the grades were calculated. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione spent time relaxing while the guys would play Quidditch. Hermione was glad she had a valued excuse not to play. She still wasn't comfortable flying on a broom and she blamed it on her muggle upbringing. She did hope Severus would teach her how to fly after she gave birth and when they had time to relax again.
Severus and Hermione discussed several things about their future. She had been accepted to the most prestigious wizarding universities. Hermione immediately said no to several that were in America and Europe, even though Severus would have supported her. He explained that she could get a license for international apparating, but Hermione wanted to stay in Britain or Scotland. The choices were narrowed down and Hermione was undecided between Magical University International (MUI) and Scotland Witchcraft and Wizardary University (SWWU). MUI was outside of London while SWWU was only about 100 kilometers from Hogwarts.
Hermione laid on the couch relaxing while Severus finished scoring the exams. When Severus was finally finished with the last test, he put down his quill and breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't have to turn the grades until tomorrow afternoon, Thursday. So he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes when he heard Hermione.
"Love, come relax with me."
Her voice called to him instantly and he got up from his chair and made his way to her to lie down on the couch, he spooned up behind her and relaxed. It was a tight fit with them but they made it comfortable. After a few minutes of silence, Severus broke it trying to find out Hermione's decision. "Have you decided which university to attend?"
"No... they're both excellent schools, but I can't choose. I don't suppose you have anything new to tell me to sway my decision do you?" Hermione asked hopefully.
"The only new information I have is my old professor is going to be teaching at SWWU again," he answered vaguely.
Hermione turned her head to look at him as much as she could, "Professor Marner?"
"Yes."
"Well that just decided it, didn't it?" Hermione smiled.
Severus grinned, "I take it you have chosen SWWU?"
"Yes. Anyone would be foolish to pass up the chance to study with Professor Marner," she said like it was a well-known fact.
"My sentiments exactly," he kissed her neck.
......
Hermione sent off a letter stating she would be attending Scotland Witchcraft and Wizardary University the next day and told her friends. They were thrilled she finally decided on a school.
On Friday morning at breakfast, every student made sure they arrived on time to receive their marks on final exams, O.W.L.s for 5th years and N.E.W.T.s for 7th years. Each Head of House passed out the parchments with the marks on each. When Hermione received hers, she immediately opened it and read:
Transfiguration : 309%
Charms : 310%
Potions : 309%
Astronomy : 308%
Care of Magical Creatures : 306%
Defense Against the Dark Arts : 307%
Herbology : 305%
Arithmancy : 310%
Ancient Runes : 307%
Muggle Studies : 310%
Hermione was thrilled with her marks. All were above the standard 300% from all the work she did extra. She thought her scores would have been lower because she didn't spend as much time studying as she normally would have since she was married or pregnant, but she was quite satisfied. When she looked up to the Head Table, she caught Severus looking at her and he smiled so briefly that if anyone saw it, they would have imagined it. She nodded in return with a grin before turning to her friends.
"Harry? Ron? How did you guys do?"
"Great!" Both said.
"I almost did as good as Percy!" Ron added. "And potions score is even in the 200's."
"Mine too. Though Defense is my best one with 280%." Harry said smiling.
"See, I knew you guys were smart if you applied yourselves," Hermione teased, because Severus made them study like mad!
